Communicating Sustainable Fish Harvest and Stewardship in Boca Ciega Bay

Biodiversity is a hallmark to our existence. Our ecosystems contain all the food we need for our survival. However, with that comes great responsibility.

It is our job to become everyday stewards, and respect the wilderness whether it's hundreds of miles away, in your backyard, out in the sea; it's all interconnected. 


Spotted Sea Trout, Spanish Mackerel, and Mangrove Snapper
Ceramic pieces created in their minimum legal harvest sizes

For my project, I created a visual aid for the Wallace Boathouse at Eckerd College. Since me and many other anglers use the kayaks to fish out on the Boca Ciega Bay, I thought this would be a good space for it. On my display I discuss the importance of sustainable harvest, as well as promote stewardship out on the water. I picked three species that are commonly caught in the bay. I attempted to incentivize cleaning up trash by hosting a raffle for a $10 "Gator Jim's" gift card. The display also discussed chemicals found in micro plastics, and how removing them from the bay positively affects our health as humans over time. I am aware that larger scale action is required for cleaner water, but I feel as though symbolic action is impactful in the sense of developing and spreading a steward mindset.


The complete display



Tried to avoid excessive text



Legal sizes and bag limits, as well as the raffle signup

The main reason I created this project is because I used to not pay attention to regulations as closely. I feel as though reminders are never a bad thing. I also wanted to look at plastic through an anthropocentric lens, to galvanize a wider net of people.


Images: Shuttershock.com and Tidalfish.com

I decided to communicate with mostly Eckerd students, but there are people who use the waterfront from off campus as well. I initially thought that there would be enough engagement if the project was in a central location with plenty of foot traffic, but I didn't get as much engagement as I expected. I then tried stationing myself at the waterfront to talk to passerby, but learned that this time of year isn't as busy for water sports.

My goal was to get 15-20 interactions, but ended up receiving 7 interactions. Although I wasn’t able to meet my goal, the project will continue to live at the waterfront. I will periodically keep my eyes peeled for changes in regulations on my chosen species, as I occasionally fish as well.

If I were to redo the project, I would likely go out and find people. I would have to rethink my visuals, as the display I used isn't the most portable, but I feel like more people would engage if I went up to them.

Applicable Course Terms:
Seventh-Generation Principle: Regulations are here to ensure healthy populations for years and generations to come, leading to more successful future yields
Rights of Nature: I believe that an ecosystem should have the right to be respected via the laws put in place by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, for its health and longevity
Conservation: The wise and efficient use of natural resources



Works Cited 

“Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: Increasingly Concentrated Problems!” Catalina       Island Marine Institute, 21 Mar. 2021, https://cimi.org/blog/bioaccumulation-and-biomagnification-increasingly-concentrated-problems/ 

“Delaware Fish Facts for the Recreational Angler.” DNREC Alpha, https://fishspecies.dnrec.delaware.gov/FishSpecies.aspx?habitat=2&species=176. 

Guidesly. “Learn about the Grey Snapper .” Learn about The, Guidesly, 10 Feb. 2022, https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/grey-snapper. 

“High Levels of Hazardous Chemicals Found in Plastics Collected from Lake Geneva.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 130, 2018, p. 349–. 

Pezzullo, Phaedra C., and J. Robert Cox. Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere. 6th ed., SAGE Publications, Inc, 2022.

“Spotted Seatrout: New Zones, Regulations, and Western Panhandle Seasonal Closure Effective Feb. 1.” Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission, https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/seatrout-120/. 

“Spotted Sea Trout.” Fly Fish Rockport, 1 Mar. 2022, https://www.flyfishrockport.com/experience/target-species/spotted-sea-trout/.


Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA

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